Star Garments Group is one of the largest apparel manufacturers and exporters in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1978 by a US company in the first export processing zone in Katunayake with the objective of capitalizing on Sri Lanka’s shift to an open economy, the company began with just one [01] factory and 300 employees. Today the group consists of ten [10] factories and 8,000 employees – becoming one of Sri Lanka’s main apparel exporter for major markets in the USA and Europe.
23 March 2020: An overwhelming number of Star family members who were adamant about helping with Sri Lanka’s effort towards controlling the spread of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pledged to work during the curfew times under strict COVID-19 rules to aid in making masks for the shortage.
From Warehouse Associates to Commercial Associates, to Factory Associates, these heroes showed up, sacrificing the few hours without curfew they had in some cases, to produce 100,000 protective masks and 5,500 PPE kits for healthcare personnel and other first responders around the country.
25 March 2020: The first batch of 1,500 face marks were handed over to the Superintendent of Prisons – Galle, Mr. Senaka Pallethanna.
26 March 2020: The first batch of 150 PPE kits were handed over to the Sri Jayawardenepura Teaching hospital.
27 April 2020: Star electrical and maintenance teams sprung into action to get all Star facilities up to the safe workplace standards set by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health. From automated disinfectant chambers to foot-operated/ automatic handwash stations and reengineered workspace layouts that maintain social distancing requirements, Star facilities were equipped with the required precautionary measures.
Star also implemented a detailed operational guide on how to manage the risks associated with Covid-19 in the workplace. All-Star facilities were certified with the necessary approval to operate within the realm of the prevailing global pandemic.
30 April 2020: Star achieves its goal of donating 100,000 protective masks and 5,500 PPE kits. Among the beneficiaries were over 15 hospitals around Sri Lanka and other local administrative bodies like Police Departments and Export Processing Zone offices.
In May 2020:
Star began researching the production of face masks for export to markets that were facing shortages in supply.
By June 2020:
Star launches its line of affordable face masks for the export market.
Star is a key player in the Sri Lankan apparel industry, contributing heavily to the nation’s economic growth, through its decades of experience backed by solid and transparent business practices, internationally sought-after partners and its evolving employee mantra of fairness, progress, and trust.